Labor leaves Torres Strait in the dark over community policing
Thursday, 26 May 2011 12:55
Dr Bruce Flegg MPShadow Minister for Education Shadow Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander PartnershipsMember for Moggill26 May 2011
Labor leaves Torres Strait in the dark over community policing
STATE Labor today refused to commit to on-going funding for Community Police officers in the Torres Strait.
LNP Shadow Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Bruce Flegg raised critical funding issue this morning at the Mackay sitting of state parliament asking the Police Minister to inform the House how much it would cost to replace Community Police on the outer Torres Strait Islands.
"How will Queensland Police Service officers on Horn Island, who cannot even speak the local language, replace the soon to be scrapped Community Police," Dr Flegg asked.
Dr Flegg said Police Minister Neil Roberts failed to provide a straight answer.
"His response leaves a very dark cloud over the future of the service which the Torres Island communities rely on so much," Dr Flegg said.
Dr Flegg said the continued existence of Community Police on the outer Islands of the Torres Straits was vital.
"The Minister today avoided answering my question, when he should be providing the Torres Strait communities and the Torres Strait Islands Regional Co-ordinating Council a straight answer on the future of Community Police and policing services.
"The CanDo LNP team is committed to governing for all Queensland. We will listen and work with local communities."